Inside■ From Your President, p. 2

■ Reading in Common, p. 3

■ In the Spotlight, p. 4–5

■ Proof Positive, p. 6

■ Remembering Bill Holm, p. 7

“Gustavus Library Associates promotes learning, literature,

and the Folke Bernadotte Memorial Library at Gustavus Adolphus College.”

ShineShineShineAccording to Webster’s or Wikipedia, the word SHINE can mean anything from give out a bright light to sparkle, glow, direct, reflect, or polish, in addition to being absolutely brilliant.When Googling, one will note that the word SHINE may also refer to the following: a 1996 film directed by Scott Hicks; a nationwide festival in Singapore; a guitar brand; a famous nightclub in Belfast, Northern Ireland; Shine TV (a New Zealand Christian television channel), or even the name of a website launched by Yahoo!

If you are Jan Michaletz and Susan Wilcox, co-chairs for the upcoming Royal Affair, SHINE means only the following:

1 FIVE MONTHS till Show Time2 A new Royal Affair location: The Minneapolis Convention Center3 A NEED for shining, sparkling, glowing volunteers

If you’re a GLA member (60% alumni, 21% parents, 10% friends, 9% faculty/staff), the entire GLA Board needs your support in one of the following ways:

A BRING A FRIEND and help us with preparations for the 2009 Royal AffairGateway Business Park | 415 West Traverse Trail | Burnsville10 a.m.–noon or 7–9 p.m. | July 14, August 11, September 8, and October 13

B Create or locate a great SILENT AUCTION item to donateContact Jan Michaletz at 952-945-9669 or Susan Wilcox at 952-944-5972

C INVITE A FRIEND to A Royal Affair on November 14th

“This year’s theme is all about making new GAC friends, like an all-class reunion,” agreed both Susan and Jan. “We look forward to new ideas and ways YOU can help us surpass our endowment goals for our college library. Most fundraising events are down about 33 percent in both attendance and income. We can’t let that happen to a Gustie tradition like A Royal Affair. This year we’re hoping to keep it simpler and just throw a great Gustie party without appearing blind to the economy!”

If each GLA member attends and invites 3 friends, we’ll exceed our first goal; however, our real bottom line is: Raising money for our campus library! Come on you Gusties, Fight on Fight on!!

We Need All Of You!Royal Affair Co-Chairs

Jan Michaletz | 952-945-9669 | jan.michaletz@gmail.comSusan Wilcox | 952-944-5972 | Sue0071008@aol.com

Vol. 16, Issue No. 3 The NewsleTTer of GusTaVus lIbrary assocIaTes | folke berNadoTTe MeMorIal lIbrary suMMer 2009

ex lIbrIs

From Your President...“Education is a social process. Education is growth. Education is, not a preparation for life; education is life itself.” John Dewey

I feel a deep sense of gratitude toward Gustavus Library Associates for seeing in me the possibility of being its president for the past two years. GLA gave me the opportunity to challenge myself by learning from those experiences that I feared—like public speaking and leading a large, incredible organization. As I reflect over my tenure with amazement, I realize some things will change as we look to the future, but that “special feeling” toward Gustavus and GLA friends will remain a constant in my life.

The Board of Directors underwent an educational process this past year that included interviews of a wide range of people and researching trends and factors that could impact the organization as we plan for GLA’s future. Our exciting announcement is the completion and ratification of our first strategic plan for the upcoming three years, which includes the clarification of our mission statement:

“Gustavus Library Associates promotes learning, literature and the Folke Bernadotte Memorial Library at Gustavus Adolphus College.”

Gustavus Library Associate’s strategic plan includes specific goals:

1 Increase awareness of GLA both within and outside the organization2 Increase the number and involvement of GLA members3 Expand GLA’s financial resources and funding streams3 Build/strengthen GLA’s organizational structure and capacity to carry out its mission and goals

Another development this spring is the Gustavus Library Associates directory, which was completed and distributed to everyone who supplied their e-mail addresses on their membership forms. Please let us know if you did not receive the e-mail and would like a copy of the directory file sent.

As our GLA year starts, I am pleased to introduce your new president, Mim Kagol, who, with her exceptional wisdom and good cheer, will lead our group to great heights. There is no doubt that GLA is in capable hands!

Everyone is invited to Shine * A Royal Affair on November 14, 2009. The gala will take on a new look at the Minneapolis Convention Center, so let’s fill the room with friends and enjoy this social time together.

continued on next page

GLA Board2009-2010Lois Allen, Bloomington Kari Anderson, EaganMargie Anderson, Edina **Catherine Asta, EdinaGinny Bakke, St. Peter *Donna Beck, Greenwood **Katy Bennewitz, EdinaTerry Bloom, LakevilleElaine Brostrom, St. Peter *Mary Brubacher, MinnetonkaBarbara Carlson, Greenfield **Jane Confer, Minneapolis **Kathy Cunningham, Mendota Heights **Nacia Dahl, Burnsville *Connie Daugherty, Eden Prairie **Kerry Dressen, EdinaBarbara Elnes, EdinaJoyce Elvestrom, Lutsen **Sue Erickson, Edina *Barbara Fister, College Librarian (Ex Officio)Vivian Gruber, Grand Marais **Kate Halverson, Lake CityMarilyn Hoch, Edina **Nancy Hotchkiss, BloomingtonLee Jaeger, Bloomington **Debra Johnson, Bloomington (Past President) *June Johnson, WayzataMarlys Johnson, St. Peter *Sheryl Johnson, Eagan (Co-President Elect) *Miriam Kagol, Deephaven (President) *Joanne Kendall, Falcon Heights **Sarah Kostial, OronoBarb Larson Taylor, St. Peter Bert Ledder, Edina (Co-President Elect) *Andrea Lieser, MinneapolisPatricia Lindell, Edina **Jeanne Lindstrom, RichfieldEvodia Linner, Edina **Sharon Litynski, St. Peter **Miriam Manfred, Eden PrairieDonna Martinson, St. Peter **Kristin Matejcek, PlymouthMarlys Sandve McDevitt, LakevilleLynn McGinty, ShoreviewDawn Michael, Vero Beach, Fla. **Jan Michaletz, EdinaSusan Morrison, MaplewoodMignette Najarian, MinneapolisMarlys Nelson, ShoreviewPam Nelson, Edina *Kris Ohle, St. PeterSusan Olson, Edina (Secretary) *Karen Pagel, Wayzata **Marty Penkhus, MankatoSusan Peterson, Minneapolis **Marge Pihl, Wayzata **Sara Provart, HopkinsSusan Ripley, Plymouth (Finance Officer) *Marisa Schloer, MinneapolisLiz Sietsema, Eden PrairieLoreli Steuer, Jacksonville, Ill. **Nancy Thorp, WayzataRuth Tillquist, St. PaulAnnie Viljaste, EdinaKristin Vlasek, LakevilleDee Waldron, Kasota **Kristin Welbaum, EdinaSybil Wersell, Edina **Paige Wilcox, EdinaSusan Wilcox, EdinaErin Wilken, Maple GroveSandy Williamson, Tucson, Ariz. **Joan Wright, St. Louis Park

* Executive Committee** Honorary Member

2

This newsletter is published three times during the academic year by the Office of Marketing and Communication, Gustavus Adolphus College, under the supervision of Dean Wahlund, director of communication services and special events and executive director of GLA. For further information about Gustavus Library Associates membership and

activities, contact Wahlund or Dana Lamb at 507-933-7550 or e-mail marketing@gustavus.edu.

Coming EventsMonday September 21 | 10–11:30 a.m.Fall Membership Tea

President’s HomeGustavus Adolphus College

Tuesday and WednesdayOctober 6 & 7 | 9:30 a.m. 45th Nobel Conference: “H2O – Uncertain Resource”

Lund Center ArenaGustavus Adolphus College(Call 507-933-7520 for reservations)

Friday–Sunday | October 9–11 Homecoming and Family Weekend

Gustavus Adolphus College

Saturday November 14 | 5:30 p.m.SHINE * A Royal Affair

Minneapolis Convention CenterMinneapolis, Minnesota(Invitation will be mailed in August)

Friday–Sunday | December 4–6 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.Christmas in Christ Chapel“A Fesitval of Carols and Letters”

Gustavus Adolphus College

Thursday | December 1011:00 a.m.St. Lucia Luncheonfeaturing Neal & Leandra

Alumni HallGustavus Adolphus College(Invitation will be mailed in October)

Call the Office of Marketing and Communication at 507-933-7550 for

reservations or more information about the above-mentioned events.

Enrique’s Journey Chosen for Reading in Common ProgramGustavus Adolphus College has selected Enrique’s Journey by Sonia Nazario as its Reading in Common book for the 2009–10 academic year. The book recounts the odyssey of a Honduran boy who endures

hardship and peril to find his mother in the United States.

This is the tenth year of the Reading in Common program at Gustavus. All first-year students are expected to read the chosen book during the summer and then meet with faculty members and upperclass students during New Student Orientation to discuss it. New Student Orientation is also loosely based around the themes found in the book.

continued on page 6

3

President’s column, continued

You granted me a benefit during my presidency of giving back to Gustavus Adolphus College, something I could not have done without the many supporters of Gustavus Library Associates.

Thanks to Everyone! ■ The membership of GLA for their contributions of time, energy, talents, and resources

■ The Board of Directors for their commitment and dedication

■ Executive Committee

■ Committee Chairs and Committees

■ The Gustavus staff for their never-ending assistance:Dean Wahlund, Executive Director to GLADana Lamb, Administrative CoordinatorBarbara Fister, College Librarian

■ The many friends of GLA for their support: AlumniFaculty and administratorsStudents and parentsFriends of the College

It has been an honor and privilege to be part of such a remarkable group and I thank you.

The best part of our organization is the friendships, so here’s to you as we continue in our pursuit of lifelong learning!

Deb Dankers Johnson ’80952-881-2364 | djohnsoncdt@comcast.net

1 GLA Friend Appreciates Her Honorary Membership StatusEditor’s note: Jearlyn Steele, WCCO Radio personality, includes GLA in her bio page.

“Jearlyn Steele is a featured motivational singer at national award conferences and corporate meetings. She is a frequent guest on the prestigious Prairie Home Companion Show and has served as entertainment reporter for various shows at KTCA Public Television. Among her honors are . . . Newsmaker of the Year 1998 by the MN Women’s Press, The William (Billy) Griffin Award by the Hallie Q. Brown Center, Beautiful Strong Woman 2002, and honorary member of the Gustavus Library Associates. Jearlyn also writes and produces radio commercials.”

5 Lois Langer Thompson ’83 was recently named director of the Hennepin County Library Systems. Lois brings more than 25 years of library work experience to the job of overseeing 41 libraries and 900 staff that serve more than 1.1 million customers each year.

2 St. Lucia Luncheon to Feature Neal & LeandraOn Thursday, December 10, 2009, Neal Hagberg ’81 and Leandra Peak ’83 return to Gustavus for a special GLA concert, “Home for the Holidays.” Following the delicious Scandinavian smörgåsbord, Neal & Leandra, who have given concerts in 45 states, will bring to life holiday classics from their two Christmas CDs.

The Minneapolis Star Tribune calls Leandra’s voice “as heavenly as listening to angels,” and Neal’s original songs “inspired.” Critics in publications ranging from the Washington Post to Dirty Linen magazine have raved about their harmonies, writing, and performances. Watch your mailbox for an invitation in October!

4 Spring Author DayGustavus Library Associates hosted two gifted poets at its Spring Author Day on April 7 at the Edina Country Club. Joyce Sutphen, Gustavus Adolphus College, and Deborah Keenan, Hamline University (seated), chatted with guests while signing their books of poetry.

3 Barbara Fister, head librarian at Folke Bernadotte Memorial Library, is a weekly columnist for Library Journal’s Academic Newswire. She wrote a cover story for the May 1 issue of Library Journal, on “Publishers and Librarians: Two Cultures, One Goal.”

4

In the Spotlight

6 Gustavus Author Tea...Annually in the spring, the Folke Bernadotte Memorial Library and Book Mark staffs host an Author Tea to celebrate books written by the faculty in the past year. Ten authors gathered at the Courtyard Café in late April to share a few entertaining thoughts about their publications. Our secret GLA book reviewer shares with us her top three picks:

Gross Anatomies: Fictions of the Physical in American Literatureby Laura Behling

Behling, an associate professor of English, presents a study of the mutilated and fragmented body that appears in American literature in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. These violations of the body suggest a deep concern about human identity, one structured on both fragmentation and augmentation of the body. The mutilated body, willfully damaged by weapons of war and machines of industry, politics, and economics, is at the heart of the texts in this study, and serves not only as harbinger of loss of identity to come, but also embodies the unknown and unknowable self.

Stompin’ at the Grand Terrace: A Jazz Memoir in Verseby Phillip Bryant ’73

Bryant, professor of English, presents a new collection of poems and prose pieces in a celebration of family, history, culture, and Chicago’s South Side. Through his poems, Bryant reveals how music forges friendships, communities, and dreams, and how jazz—America’s great original art form—holds the power of possibility to transcend the widest of racial, social, and cultural gaps. An accompanying CD features more than a dozen original compositions—inspired by Bryant’s poems—by jazz pianist Carolyn Wilkins.

The Political Influence of Churches by Chris Gilbert and Paul Djupe ’93

Gilbert, a professor of political science, and former student Paul Djupe ’93, who is now an associate professor of political science at Denison University in Ohio, investigate how membership in organized religious bodies shapes the political life of members. They develop a theoretical framework that captures the multifaceted elements of church life that affect individual political attitudes and actions. The book is based on a 1998–2000 study of ELCA and Episcopal congregations conducted with the assistance of more than 20 Gustavus undergraduate students through a National Science Foundation grant.

7 The Book Mark Newsletter Is Online!In April, the Gustavus Book Mark began publishing a monthly online newsletter. Judy Schultz, book buyer for the Book Mark, provides book descriptions on about a half dozen or more books each month. The newsletter will also announce in-store promotions and alert you to visiting authors to the campus. You are welcome to subscribe by contacting editor and advertising associate Karri Anderson at kanders5@gustavus.edu or 507-933-7587.

8 Celebrating Membership in GLAThe 2010 membership year began on June 1. We welcome your new or renewed membership at this time. Enclosed in this newsletter is a membership form, or you can join online at www.gustavus.edu/gla if that is more convenient.

We are often asked, “What are the benefits of being a GLA member?” Benefits, of course, include invitations to a variety of Gustavus Library Associates events, the Ex Libris newsletter, and a published directory of GLA friends, but the real benefit is that— whatever the membership gift level you chose — the entire amount (100%) goes directly to the library’s acquisition budget to purchase books, technology, and other academic resources for Gustavus students and faculty. So, your “membership gift” in total helps to further strengthen the Folke Bernadotte Memorial Library at Gustavus. That’s a true benefit!

5

Proof PositiveBarbara Fister | Head Librarian

Do you ever wonder whether your GLA membership and the library resources it funds make a difference? There was plenty of proof that they do at two events this spring.

The annual Gustavus Author Tea, co-sponsored by the Book Mark and the library, celebrated Gustavus faculty members who published books in the last year. The books ranged from a study on politics and religion to an anthology of responses to the conflicts in the former Yugoslavia, a topic so hot that the book was cited in a confirmation hearing in Washington, D.C. Eric Dugdale of the classics department, being an over-achiever, published two books—a new translation of Sophocles’ Electra and a guide to Greek theatre. The final speaker was Phil Bryant, whose Stompin’ at the Grand Terrace, a verse memoir of his childhood on the South Side of Chicago and the meaning of jazz and community is accompanied by a CD that combines his reading with a moody, elegant jazz soundtrack played by a New York musician who grew up in the same neighborhood.

On the evening before Honors Day, more than 100 student research projects were on display in the Jackson Campus Center, spilling through all the banquet rooms, a feast for the curious. Projects ranged from analysis of U.S. AIDS policy in Africa to a philosophy thesis on the ways fiction deals with ethical dilemmas, to a student’s podcast diaries kept while studying in China, to the effect of text-messaging on relationships.

It’s fascinating to see what those books slipped through the return slot, what those seemingly random questions at the reference desk, led to. For the library, both of these spring celebrations are a wonderful reminder of what a great laboratory the library is for new ideas and creativity in our students and faculty.

6

Enrique’s Journey, continued

“The selection committee felt this book would promote engaged student learning about a variety of topics,” said Director of Student Activities Megan Ruble. “Discussions could explore contemporary debates regarding immigration and the shifting demographics in America, or focus on more personal topics like changing family relationships, life transitions, and ‘a journey to the unknown’ — issues new college students also face, though on a very different scale.”

Nazario has spent 20 years reporting and writing about social issues, most recently as a projects reporter for the Los Angeles Times. In 2003, Nazario won the Pulitzer Prize for Feature Writing for her work on the multi-part newspaper series Enrique’s Journey. Nazario expanded on her newspaper series of Enrique’s Journey and published the book in 2005.

The story details how a boy, by clinging to the tops and sides of freight trains, made the long, dangerous, and illegal journey through Mexico into the United States to find his mother who had left him at the age of five.

Books for the Reading in Common program are chosen based on their literary quality, reading manageability, interdisciplinary nature, and the author’s availability for a campus appearance. Nazario will visit Gustavus Monday, Sept. 28, and will deliver a lecture at 7 p.m. that evening. Copies of Enrique’s Journey are available for purchase in the Book Mark (1-800-847-9307 or www.bookmark.gustavus.edu).

My Soul to Take: A Novel of IcelandJudy Schultz | Book Mark

There is now another terrific Icelandic author to add to your list of whom to read after our beloved Gustie, Bill Holm. This recently released novel is the second by Yrsa Sigurdardóttir to be translated into English. The mystery starts out simple enough, with female sleuth and attorney Thora Gudmundsdóttir taking on a case that takes her to a resort on the west coast. However, not until Iceland and its harsh history (which includes Nazis) have their way with the plot do we find out “whodunnit.”

PRESIDENT MIM KAGOLOlive Kitteredge by Elizabeth Strout

Favorite Summer ReadsWe asked our new executive board to share their favorite summer reads. One had a little trouble narrowing her list!

7

Campus Community Remembers Bill HolmElaine Brostrom

On Thursday evening, May 7, 2009, friends and colleagues of Bill Holm ’65 gathered at Gustavus to honor and remember one of our own. Poems were read—some of Bill’s and others he would certainly have enjoyed—music was played (and no gathering was ever complete, in Bill’s estimation, without good music) and tears were shed, of course, but, as appropriate in a tribute to Bill, there was a lot of laughter in our memories.

Bill was an honorary member of Gustavus Library Associates, having spoken at author events over the years. We will miss him—and we will miss his fresh look at this world of ours.

Bill wrote of music:

Listen as long as you can;sing whenever the right tunearrives inside you.

PRESIDENT ELECT BERT LEDDERKiller Angels by Michael Shaara

TREASURER SUSAN RIPLEYThe Road by Cormac McCarthyThe Book Thief by Markus ZusakSpecimen Days by Michael CunninghamThe River of Doubt by Candice MillardA Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry

PRESIDENT ELECT SHERYL JOHNSONThe Soloist by Steve Lopez

SECRETARY SUSAN OLSONChild 44 by Tom Rob Smith

cordially invites you to a

Fall Membership TeaHosted by President Jack and Kris Ohle

Monday, September 21, 2009 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.President’s Campus Home

Gustavus Adolphus College, Saint Peter, Minnesota

All friends and friends of friends are welcome!

Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDGustavusAdolphusCollege

Gustavus Library Associates800 West College AvenueSaint Peter, MN 56082

SHiNE A Royal AffairBenefit gala presented by Gustavus Library Associates in support of the library at Gustavus Adolphus College

From cars to canoes, vacation homes to weekend getaways,shopping sprees to gift baskets, original art to homemade quilts,silent and live auctions are the centerpieces of A Royal Affair.Gustavus Library Associates is seeking auction items.

To contribute, call or e-mail the co-chairs.Susan Wilcox, 952.944.5972, sue0071008@aol.comJan Michaletz, 952.945.9669, jan.michaletz@gmail.com

Saturday, November 14, 2009, Minneapolis Convention Center, Downtown Minneapolis